HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2025-036-Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 205 RES - 2025 - 036
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION OPPOSING SENATE BILL 205
WHEREAS , Senate Bill 205 introduced during the 2025 session of North Carolina General
Assembly has been amended in a manner that changes many aspects of local planning and
zoning authority and dramatically impacts the ability of local governments to act in ways that
reflect the will of their communities ; and
WHEREAS , Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes provides comprehensive
planning and zoning authority to local governments and would be significantly eroded by the
passage of Senate Bill 205 , which would diminish the input and will of local communities ; and
WHEREAS , Orange County has been supportive of removing regulatory barriers to private land
development in order to encourage comprehensive and reasonable development , while at the
same time maintaining that there is a reasonable compromise to virtually all land development
situations ; and
WHEREAS , Senate Bill 205 would limit local authority to establish reasonable planning and
zoning regulation based on individual property conditions ; and
WHEREAS , Senate Bill 205 would remove local discretion to make fact- based long -term
sustainable decisions and would impose heightened quasi -judicial standards and evidentiary
fact finding for common planning and zoning decisions thereby limiting community input and
feedback on important local land use decisions ; and
WHEREAS , Senate Bill 205 would increase the risk of lawsuits against local governments across
the state , subjecting local governments to damages , costs , and attorney fees for reasonable
decisions based on local circumstances that could be unreasonably challenged ; and
WHEREAS Senate Bill 205 would remove the ability of local communities and local officials to
pursue their unique visions for their communities , which are critical to attracting new residents ,
new businesses , and maintaining the local quality of life ; and
WHEREAS , Orange County strongly believes local governments are best suited to represent
their communities on local matters ;
NOW, THEREFORE , BE IT RESOLVED , the Orange County Board of Commissioners urges the
North Carolina General Assembly to leave planning and zoning decisions to locally elected
boards and their local communities and that the General Assembly immediately table and
dispose of Senate Bill 205 and any similar bills threatening to limit local land use planning and
zoning authority.
Adopted this the 8t" day of July, 2025 .
mez a Bedford , Phair
t � Orange County Board of Commissioners
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